Fleet Feet Poughkeepsie's Fall Half Marathon Training Program (Hartford Half Marathon)

Fleet Feet Poughkeepsie & Feldman Physical Therapy & Performance are partnering to offer this 12-week half marathon training group. Our goal race will be the Hartford Half Marathon on Saturday, October 14, 2023. PLEASE NOTE that registration for the race is a separate fee. After registration, participants will be sent a $5 discount code which can be used on race registration.  The training program kick-off session will be held on Wednesday, July 19 at 6:30 pm at Fleet Feet Poughkeepsie. During the kick-off, we will review the training plan, go over what to expect in terms of strength training, as well as review some tips for a successful and injury-free training cycle. You will receive your training program no later than Tuesday, July 18 so that you can come to the kick-off session with any questions you may have.  
This program offers 2 times a week group runs and a once-a-week in-person weekly strength session:  Run #1:  Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm at Fleet Feet starting on July 26 Run #2:  Saturday mornings at 8:00 am at the Walkway over the Hudson (Poughkeepsie side) starting on July 29***Strength Session:  Thursdays at 6:30 pm at Gold's Gym in LaGrange starting on July 27 *** IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE SATURDAY MORNING RUN: - Our Saturday morning sessions will start at 8 am but as we get into warmer months, they may be pushed earlier to beat the heat if necessary  
Included with the program: - A $5 discount code for your Hartford Half Marathon Race Registration^^ (read below for important information before registering)  - A professionally designed 12-week training plan - 2 times a week in-person group runs- 1 time per week in-person strength training sessions - Private Facebook group for encouragement, motivation, and camaraderie - Option to have the training program workouts programmed for your Garmin or Coros by Feldman Physical Therapy & Performance - Running friends forever - A custom Fleet Feet Brooks racing tank or tee (scroll all the way down for pictures) - Complimentary informational sessions including half marathon fueling, yoga for runners, and demo runs It is our primary goal for you to complete the half-marathon training program successfully without any injuries. As a general guideline, by the start of the program, you should be able to run a consecutive 40-50 minutes and you would ideally have a weekly base of 15ish or more miles. Please be aware that this is not a zero-to-half marathon program!    
Training Program Fees are $150Fleet Feet Training Group Alumni Cost: $125* *Prior participant in any Fleet Feet training group (including Winter Warriors and virtual challenges) or a prior Fleet Feet mentor.  ^^To learn more about our goal race, the 2023 Hartford Half Marathon click here.  Please note that hotels in Hartford are pretty expensive the night before the race and we will likely hire a private bus that will take us to and from the Half Marathon, leaving from Fleet Feet.  The bus will be an additional charge if you choose to participate and the cost will be dependent on the number of participants (we estimate in the $125 per person range).  If you plan on taking the bus, we recommend having your race packet mailed when you register for the race.  
If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. This is preferred vs. calling the store as our outfitters are usually busy with customers and don't always know all the specifics of every training group or event.  
Once you register, we will send you an email with:* Your $5 race discount code. Unfortunately, if you already registered, we do not have a way to retroactively apply the discount. * A form for us to learn a little more about you and your goals for the program Please be sure to register with a valid email address that you check regularly or you will miss important communications about the groups.  FAQsHow do I know if I’m ready?If you are considering the half marathon training program you should be able to run ‘comfortably’ for a consecutive 40-50 minutes regardless of pace. Training for a half marathon is a time commitment and first and foremost you should make sure that you have the time to dedicate to training 4-5 times per week. If you have consistently experienced injuries during training cycles for a shorter distance then you may want to consider repeating that distance again with the goal of training injury-free before proceeding to a longer distance.   
What if I can’t make it to the group runs? That’s ok. Come to as many as you can but don’t let the group run schedule deter you from joining the program. The main determination for joining the program should be whether or not you are willing to put in the time for training. Our training groups are typically around 20-30 runners and it would be impossible to find a single day and time that works for everyone. Don’t think that you won't find value in the program if you can’t make it to every session. We've had runners in the past who didn’t make it to any group sessions but still found great value in the coaching/group dynamic, had a great experience, and successfully completed the race.  
Will I be too slow?  This is probably the most asked question, and the answer is a resounding no! Our groups include runners of all paces, from sub-10 minute pace to 15-16 min. per mile pace. Many if not most of our runners fall in the 11-12 minute pace range. We encourage runners to try to pair up with a partner who is at a similar pace to minimize the likelihood of having to run alone.  
What if I want to train with the group but am doing a different race?This is absolutely fine but you will be responsible for modifying your training plan to meet your specific needs. If your schedule is ahead of the group’s, we also ask that you don’t encourage other runners to run longer distances than what is prescribed in their training plan.  
Will the group runs happen in bad weather? Generally speaking yes, with the exception of unsafe conditions such as lightning. We will always keep the group posted about the status of our group runs.  
Is individualized coaching available? While we do our best to respond to and accommodate everyone's individual needs, please keep in mind that this is group training. We do not currently offer one-on-one training.  What if I change my mind about training, can I get a refund? Unfortunately, once the shirts are ordered we are not able to offer refunds on the program. If you have a unique circumstance that prohibits you from completing the program, we can gladly offer you a spot in a future training program. Any refunds prior to the ordering of shirts would not include any applicable Run Signup fees.